BCS Bowl Games On New Years Day: Who Made The Grade?

New Year's Day is a day that boasts some of the best college football games of the year. January 1st not only showcases some of the premier teams in the nation, but it's the day that the "Grand Daddy of 'Em All," The Rose Bowl is held.

Would the match-ups live up to be as advertised, or would they fall short?

The Outback Bowl: Auburn 38, Northwestern 35. 

Northwestern finished their regular season with a mark of 8-4, 5-3 in the Big Ten.

Auburn played out a tough SEC schedule ended 2009 with a 7-5 record, 3-5 in conference play.

The Outback Bowl was one of the most entertaining college football games to date. Entertaining if you enjoy the type of contest where anything that could happen did happen.

Untimely Auburn fumbles allowed the Wildcats to claw their way back into the game time and time again which made for a wild finish.

Mike Kafka threw five interceptions, but somehow managed to keep NW in the hunt for their first bowl victory in over a decade. That didn't happen -- sorry, coach Fitz.

18 records were set (Outback Bowl), 10 were tied in the Cats' and Tigers' brawl.

In a game that looked to be over in the second quarter, Northwestern remained competitive.

My grade: B+, based on the excitement factor.

Gator Bowl: Florida State 33, West Virginia 21.

The illustrious fifty-seven year coaching career of Bobby Bowden was capped off with a with a Seminole victory over 18th ranked West Virginia.

From start to finish, Bowden's team looked they were on a mission to send their legendary coach out on a winning note.

Bowden, a former Mountaineer coach, made the Seminole football program what it is today. He brought a certain demeanor and class to Talahassee that may not ever be duplicated -- anywhere.

West Virginia's Noel Devine was the most valuable player with his 168 yards, but Florida State quarterback E.J. Manuel took home the honor instead.

Bowden's impressive win against a much faster and talented Mountaineer squad, and the fact that he's going out in style gave this game "A" status.

My grade: A-, Bowden, baby.

The Rose Bowl: Ohio State 26, Oregon 17.

The "Grand Daddy of 'Em All" was dominated by the Ohio State defense.

Oregon is faster and flashier, but that didn't matter on New Year's Day.

Terrelle Pryor grew up before fans' eyes in Pasadena as he dictated the tempo from start to finish.

Jeremiah Masoli of Oregon, was a virtual non-factor -- the Ducks couldn't establish any type of rhythm and Masoli looked out of sync with his receivers.

LaMichael James and LaGarrett Blount were taken out the equation from the get-go, and the Buckeye defense stole the show.

The Oregon Ducks, heavy favorites coming in, failed to live up to their season long hype, but they remain the front runner for next year's Pac 10 race.

Pryor earned the MVP honors with his 266 yards passing and two touchdowns. Pryor rushed for 70 yards.

My grade: B, based on the fact that expectations that weren't met.

Sugar Bowl: Florida 51, Cincinnati 24.

Putting an undefeated record on the line against Florida is never easy -- just ask Alabama. Well, don't ask the Tide, they handled Florida with relative ease. Put it this way, the Gators are a good team no matter what.

The Bearcats of Cincinnati took their 12-0 mark to New Orleans to clash with the 12-1 Florida Gators in the Sugar Bowl.

Tim Tebow suited up for the last time as a Gator, and for all intensive purposes, it's safe to say it was coach Urban Meyer's last game in orange and blue, too.

Florida looked like the Gators of old, dominating Cincy on both sides of the ball.

The Gators put themselves on top 30-3 going into halftime.

Tebow consistently dissected the Bearcat secondary, hooking up with Riley Cooper time-and-time-again.

Superman shattered BCS records for most all purpose yardage with 532, 482 yards and three touchdowns through the air, one on the ground, and completed 31/35 passes.

My grade: A+++, what better way could a legend have left the game?